Bullish Domestic Sentiment Stifles Interest In Vanadium Exports From China

The recent surge in European vanadium prices was supposed to provide opportunities for Chinese exports, but suppliers in the East Asian country have shown little interest amid bullish local sentiment and uncertain international growth, Fastmarkets understands.

Since the second half of 2019, Chinese exporter interest in shipping vanadium products abroad has been limited because Chinese prices have been much higher than those in Europe – a situation that persisted throughout 2020, especially with regional differences in industrial recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fastmarkets’ average assessment for ferro-vanadium, 78% V min, fob China was $28 per kg for 2020 – a $3 premium to the the European average for 2020 of $25 per kg.
In addition, the average assessment for vanadium pentoxide, 98% V2O5 min, fob China stood at $6.40 per lb in 2020 while the average price for vanadium pentoxide, 98% V2O5 min, in-whs Rotterdam was at $5.60 per lb – a premium of $0.80 per lb.
Nevertheless, prices for European vanadium surged during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday season (February 11-February 18) amid tight prompt supplies and more consumer activity – with the previous…

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